Hi everyone. I'm new to the board, although not new to Cavaliers in general.

From 1999-2000 I had a 1989 Cavalier that served me well and saved my life in a near-fatal accident. I've missed the car terribly. So, for the first time since then I got a Cavalier just yesterday through a private sale. It's a '96 coupe with base trim, same-color bumper as the body color (cayenne red), spoiler, base trim. Everything is stock aside from the head unit and an 8-disc changer in the trunk, and those will be replaced rather soon anyway. Oh yeah, and this 1996 car only has 16k miles on it!

It was owned by an elderly woman who can no longer drive...she was the only owner all of these years. Since the car had been sitting a while before the family even decided to sell it, work has had to be done to it (i.e. battery had to be changed a few times and is new now, rear brakes will have to be replaced due to pitting, air filter replacement, etc.). Been working on it since I got it yesterday to get it up to par before I change my registration from my 1994 Bonneville with 250k miles on it to the Cavy.

So anyway, here are my opinion questions for you all since I'm so new to all of this and never owned a car I wanted to mod before this one:

1) Headlight/tail light case replacements: I've read through a lot of the posts here and heard mixed reviews about the black headlights and tail lights. Some people say that they're not sealed correctly and need to be opened, cleaned and re-sealed with clear silicon. That fact bothers me a bit...how are the quality of the lights, aside from the fogging problems? Is it worth it to spend the money on them when you have to re-seal them? I love the way they look...

Here are the ones I'm looking at:
Headlights - eBay listing Headlights
Tail lights - eBay listing Tail lights

2) Body kits: Are the horror stories about fiberglass true? lol I've heard that it takes basically anything to crack or chip it, and it's not worth getting fiberglass. I have always assumed that the stories were true, but I don't know, as I said, I have never done this before. I personally don't want to lower my car because I have to go through a lot of speed bumps and I drive in a lot of snow come winter time. I figured this would be the place to find the truth! I've been thinking about the "Invader" body kit...

3) Gauge panel mod: Anyone know anything about this and/or how difficult it might be to install? eBay listing Gauge mod

Okay, I think I've given you all enough eye-strain for now. lol Sorry!

I appreciate any input anyone might be able to give me!

Thanks!
~Ri

wow, good deal on the miles!!!

yea, ive hear some stories of the ebay headlights and taillights. but i have never had any on my own car, so i cant really say anything about them.

you can find some "good" body kits from well known companies. you'll pay more, but it may fit better. we have some great companies on here that can help you out on that.

i have never installed a gauge bezel, so i cant help you there.

well, good luck with everything bud, and hope to see ya on the boards!!!!




-Www.IznTrbl.Com-

listen to him HES the headlight guy





member nejbody

First, and you may want to check the FAQ to double-check this, but I am pretty sure that if the bumpers are painted body color, then it is not the "base" model. Typically that is only on LS (for '96) models or Z24's. It could probably be added as an option to a base, but then it wouldn't really be base model anymore...at least in some opinions....anyways, that's more of an FYI...

1)
Keep in mind that just about any headlight or taillight housing you purchase is going to be made in China/Korea/India/Mexico/Chile or a similar country. These things are mass-produced by the thousands, and quality control isn't always the number one priority. Which means that some of the housing will need to be resealed, others will work fine without additional labor. It really is a crapshoot, although I've yet to see a pair of aftermarket lights that couldn't benefit from at least some extra sealant. It's just a fact of cheap aftermarket companies and parts. If you like the look of the lights, though, don't let some extra sealing turn you away....get them, seal them, be happy.

2)
Fiberglass parts (generally speaking) have very little to no flexibility built into them. So if you hit something (or something hits your car), chances are the fiberglass will crack/chip/splinter/break on impact. Repairs can be made (not a bad skill to acquire yourself if you go with fiberglass parts) if the damage is not too severe, but requires repainting each time. Based on your description (speed bumps, snow, etc.) I would caution you against fiberglass bumpers or kits and look towards plastic options. If the kit you love is only in 'glass, however, that's only a choice you can make.

3)
While I don't know a lot of specifics about the gauge mod you listed, I know there were some problems of some brands of those types of gauges when they first came out a couple years ago. It may have been isolated incidents, but you should do some more research. Try asking this question again in the "Interior" forum or, better yet, do some keyword searches in that forum for past discussions. I know gauge modifications have been popular in the past, so many members have some type of that done and would be willing to give you more informed opinions.

Best of luck to you, and Welcome to the .org




-Ferrite

Wow, thanks guys! You all have helped me a lot. I have to look at some body kits now that are plastic and not fiberglass. This isn't a garage queen! It's going to be a steady driver--or an over-driven car, depending on how you look at it (I drive over 600 miles a week!).

Izn: I'm looking at your site as I type this...I'm going to have to look more tomorrow after work, but I will have some questions for you about lights. I am very out of the loop when it comes to this "angel eye" business and what kind of lights are what...so I want to do some more research on the basics before I go and bog you down with stupid questions!

Ferrite: Thanks for all that info! Wow...

I'm going to check out the exterior forum and see what they have to say about different plastic kits instead of fiberglass.

As for the gauges, I've seen a lot on the forum about them now. Saw BlackCatCustom.com has a lot of custom gauges and instructions to go with them, so I'm going to do all my research as suggested.

I'll have to read that FAQ you mentioned, regarding the trim on the Cavalier. I was told it was base--I know for sure it's not the Z24. As for LS, that I'm not sure about. I'll have to look tomorrow and get back to you.

Thanks again guys!
~Ri

Welcome and enjoy your stay, a lot of info is here, you just have to dig for it.

And remember, searching can save your life! (or your reputation )

dont mod your tails or headlights, until you decide you should, by this i mean you will grow out of the tailights, and possibly the headlights

becauses there are better ways, projector headights are the way to go, if modding the headlights go

from what I've seen around the org and from what I've seen in the car movement is that if you can try to go JDM then do it of course stuff costs alot but it'll be well worth it in the end


UNDER CONSTRUCTION TILL FURTHER NOTICE

With fiberglass, urethane body kits they'll all break. just depends on whether or not you wanna repair fiberglass with some bondo, or try and fix a urethane tear.

After dealing with 2 urethane streetfire fronts, i would highly recommend using fiberglass fronts...yes urethane does hold up a hell of alot better on the smaller dings, butttt, when you do tear urethane..GOOOOD LUCK!